Father help us to live as the Holy Family, united in respect and love.
The greatest blessing you bring to your family is the presence of God in your life.
The fragrance of His presence sweetens the atmosphere of your home.
The beauty of His presence warms the relationships within its walls.
The joy of His presence lightens every heart.
The glory of His presence fills all its chambers with rare and precious treasures.
“From God’s Heart to Yours” by Roy Leesin
Let us pray for one another: May God bless you and yours throughout this Christmas Season. We wish you a happy and peaceful New Year and always try to remember, “Holiness is in the ordinary.”
CHRISTMAS DAY
Saturday, December 25th
- 10:30 AM
- 12:30 PM
No 4:30 PM Mass Office Closed
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, BOXING DAY
Sunday, December 26th
- 8:30 AM
- 10:30 PM
- 12:30 PM
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27th
No Mass, Office Closed
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28th
No Mass, Office Closed
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Friday, December 31st
- 9:00 AM
No Evening Mass Office Closed
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Saturday, January 1st
- 10:30 AM
- 12:30 PM
No 4:30 PM Mass Office Closed
ANNOUNCED MASSES
December 29th – December 31th 2010
WEDNESDAY – GRAZIA & DONATO DI CIAULA Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – SILVANA DI ROCCO Requested by Wai Chin & Paul Hwang
FRIDAY – CONNIE SAN & SUN TAN Requested by the Tan Family
SATURDAY – VINCENZA GRECH Requested by J. Padova
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Friday January 7th from 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon.
Please see the time schedule on the table inside the Church.
ECO-SABBATH
Sunday, January 2nd at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room
On the first Sunday of each month, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.
ROSARY GROUPS
The English Rosary has been cancelled on New Year’s Day, January 1st.
The Chinese Rosary will continue as usual on Sunday, January 2nd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
Please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029 for more information.
FAMILY MASS
There will be no Family Mass in January 2010.
The next Family Mass will be celebrated on February 6th, 2011.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
A very special thank you to all those who helped with our Christmas celebrations; those in the Music Ministry, the Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors, the Altar Servers and Ministers of Hospitality, those who organized and participated in the Christmas Pageant, those responsible for decorating, and the Pastoral Team.
Your work helped to make Christmas a beautiful and uplifting time.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2011
Your offertory envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. Please pick yours up as soon as possible. It is very important that you write your name and address on your new 2011 envelopes for the month of January. This will ensure that you are given proper credit for your donations.
If the address on your box is incorrect, please inform the Parish Office so that we can update our records. If you do not receive offertory envelopes and would like to do so, please call the office at 416-221-8866 and we will prepare a box for you.
COLLECTION DRIVE FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS/REFUGEES
“Becoming Neighbours” is a joint ministry of nineteen religious congregations of men and women in Toronto (the Passionists included), to serve as companions to new immigrants and refugees during the latter’s initial adjustment in Canada, so as to ease their adaptation to life in Toronto.
Most of us have been blessed with abundance. In the spirit of sharing, St Gabriel’s will again be organizing a collection drive, on behalf of Becoming Neighbours, during the weekend of
January 15th/16th, 2011. This year they are asking specifically for gently used winter clothes.
We take this opportunity to collect also for the Iraqi refugee family that the parish is sponsoring. Clothing collected that would fit members of the family will be set aside for them. Whatever help you can give will be much appreciated.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul tries to bring help to our neighbours who are in urgent need of assistance. Anyone looking for help should call 416-740-6006 and leave their name and phone number. They will then be contacted in order to determine their needs and arrange a meeting.
REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE
Concert – Thursday, January 13th, 2011 at 7:30 PM
The Refugee Sponsorship Committee is having a Fundraising concert on Thursday January 13th, 2011 for the Iraqi family being sponsored by the Parish. The concert will be held at 7:30pm at St. Gabriel’s and will feature musicians and singers from the Parish, as well as special guest DALA (www.dalagirls.com). DALA has toured Canada and the US many times, opening for artists such as Jann Arden, Tom Cochrane, Matthew Good, Stuart McLean of the CBC’s Vinyl Café and Chantal Kreviazuk. Tickets are on sale in the Gathering Space after all Masses this weekend, December 18th and 19th. Adult tickets: $20, and $10 for children under 12.
Tickets can also be purchased from Marilyn Calderone (416-221-8866 ext 225) and Chris Carabine (416-512-9666).
GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES
Your prepared chicken (or turkey) rice casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of January 1st/2nd, 2011 for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. Please note that this is a week later than normal because of Christmas; also note there is no 8:30 AM Mass on January 1st. More volunteers are encouraged to get a copy of the casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791 for more information.
FOOD DRIVE DECEMBER 18th TO JANUARY 3rd
Please help feed the hungry and homeless this Christmas. Make a difference in the lives of those most in need within our community by participating in the Good Shepherd Centre’s annual Christmas Food Drive.
THANK YOU ‘AMICA HELPING HANDS’
The Amica Helping Hands Community brings a better quality of life to marginalized and less-fortunate seniors. This year we received several gift baskets from this organization to be distributed to needy seniors through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The baskets are full of treats, nutritious food items, toiletries, warm clothing and a gift certificate to a local grocery store. To date, Amica Helping Hands has raised over $700,000 and delivered over 6,500 baskets in the seven years since the program began. We are extremely grateful for their generosity.
STAMPS
This is a wonderful time of year to collect stamps from your Christmas cards and letters to give to the Leprosy Mission of Canada, who are renowned for their effectiveness in the prevention, detection and treatment of leprosy. They are helping people to rebuild their lives. Stamps may be left in the basket outside of the office.